Loading device



Augf8,1944. J. H. HOL'STEm '2,355,534

LOADING DEVICE IN V EN TOR.

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IN V EN TOR.

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Patented Aug. 8, 1944 LOADING DEVICE John H. Holstein, Chevy Chase, Md., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 19, 1942, Serial No. 469,508

35 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in loading devices and more particularly relates to a loading' device adapted to pick up and load material onto the inby end of a conveyer.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a new and improved loading device of the. class described particularly adapted for use in: mines underground and arranged with a view towards compactness and ease and efficiency in operation and control.

In carrying out my invention I provide a base mounted on the ground for slidable movement therealong and mount a reciprocating trough section having a shovel on its forward end on this base for picking up loose material from the ground and loading it onto a conveyer. I also provide a turntable on this base with a recipro- V cably driven propelling device mounted on the turntable and driven in a definite phase relation with respect to the reciprocating trough section, for positively feeding the shovel into the material it is desired to load, by the inertia of said propelling device.

The general principles of construction and operation of my invention are somewhat similar to those shown and' described in application Ser. No'. 432,436, filed by William W. Sloane on February 26, 1942. My present invention, however, dilers from the aforesaid Sloane application in that the propellingv device is mounted on a turntable to aid in controlling the direction of movement of the base, and consists in a reciprocating drive mechanism slidably mounted on the turntable, together with a control means therefor, whereby the drive mechanism reciprocably driven on the turntable may serve as a propelling device, to effect feeding and withdrawing of the shovel from the material it is desired to load. The reciprocable drive mechanism may also be utilized for propelling the base bodily along the ground selectively in a forward or reverse direction', and to aid in swinging the turntable and base in various angular positions, for propelling the base in various directions, as Will hereinafter more fully appear.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein :Y

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a section of a mine showing a loading device constructed in accordance with my invention, in

, position to pick up material from a breakthrough,

which is being mined to connect two adjoining rooms` of the mine;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the loading device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the loading device shown in Figure 2, drawn to a somewhat smaller scale than Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the loading device, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in longitudinal section in order to more clearly show certainvdetails of the reciprocating trough and support and drive means therefor;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 6 6 of Figure 4r; o

Figure 7- is an enlarged detail view showing certain detailsvof the mounting of the counterweight, for counterbalancing the electof the reciprocating action of thev reciprocating' trough section and shovel on the base;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail partial rear end view drawn to substantially the same scale as Figure 4 and illustrating certain details of the mounting of the reciprocating trough section on the base;

Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view of the device shown in Figure 1, with the reciprocating trough section and top gear cover removed, and with certain other parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 10 is any enlarged fragmentary plan view somewhat-similar to- Figure 9, but drawnto an enlarged' scale and with certain other parts broken away and in section than are shown in Figure 9;.

Figure 11: is a detail fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along line Il-II ofV Figure 9 and illustrating certain details of the turntable drive;

Figure 12 is an` enlarged' fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line |2--l2 of Figure 9;

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail plan view of the reciprocating drive mechanism with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal section;

Figure 14 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along line ld-lll of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line ISL-l5 of Figure 10;

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along line Iii-I6 of Figure 10;

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line I 'I-I'I of Figure 10;

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along line I8-I8 of Figure 10; 5

Figure 19 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along line I9-I9 of Figure 10;

Figure 20 is an enlarged detail fragmentary longitudinal sectional View showing certain details of the reciprocating drive to the reciprocating trough section;

Figure 21 is an enlarged fragmentary detail plan view, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal section, in order to illustrate certain details of the stroke control means for the reciprocating drive for the reciprocatingV trough section; and

Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25 are diagrammatic views illustrating certain positions of the linkage connections to the propelling device for causing the propelling device to move in the proper directions and phase relationships, to propel the loading device in various desired directions along the ground.

ALike reference characters refer to like parts throughout the various figures.

Referring now in particular to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, a loading device indicated generally by reference character 9 is shown in Figure 1 as being in position for loading from a breakthrough connecting two parallel working places or rooms of a mine together. An extensible and swiveled connecting trough I may be pivotally connected to the rear end ofthe loading device for receiving material discharged from the rear end of a reciprocating trough section II of the loading device, and for transferring it to the inby end of a conveyer generally indicated by reference character I2.

The conveyer may be of any well known form, but is herein shown as being a shaker conveyer and consists of a trough line driven from suitable reciprocating drive mechanism (not shown). Said drive mechanism is preferably located adjacent the mine entry, and is arranged to reciprocably drive the conveyer trough line so as to cause material to move away from the working face of the room to the entry, where it may be loaded into suitable mine cars or the like.

The'loading device includes generally a base I3 mounted for slidable movement along the ground on its bottom and having a turntable I4 mounted thereon, with a reciprocating inertia propelling device I guided for slidable movement on said turntable, for reciprocable movement with respect thereto whereby the impelling forces of said propelling device may be directed in various desired directions and at various intensities, for moving said base along the ground, and for feeding a shovel IE on the forward end of the reciprocating trough section II into the material it is desired t0 load.

A motor I'l is provided for driving said reciprocating trough section and for reciprocably moving said inertia propelling device along said turntable. Said motor, as herein shown, is mounted on a cover I9 extending over said turntable and inertia device and mounted on opposite side walls 25, of said base. Said motor extends longitudinally along one side of said base and is opersides of said guide tracks.

atively connected with the drive mechanism for reciprocably driving the trough section II, and with the inertia device by means of a transverse shaft 2I which is driven from said motor through a spur and bevel gear reduction generally indicated by reference character 22. The drive from said transverse shaft to said reciprocating trough and to said inertia device will be more clearly described as thisV specification proceeds.

The reciprocating trough section Il is mounted on the base I3 on a vertically adjustable frame 21. Said frame includes a pair of parallel spaced side frame members 29, 29 extending along opposite sides of said reciprocating trough section, and connected together adjacent their forward and rear ends. Said side frame members are pivotally mounted at their rear ends between laterally spaced pairs of upright supports 30, 30 on pivotal pins 3I, 3|. Said upright supports are mounted on and project upwardly from the cover I9 for the base I3, adjacent the rear end thereof.

The frame 2'I extends forwardly from said supports in a downwardly inclined direction beyond the forward end of said base. A fluid cylinder 32 is provided to pivot said frame and the trough II about the axes of the pivotal pins 3I, 3|, to elevate the shovel I6. Said fluid cylinder, as herein shown, is pivotally connected at its head end to the end of an arm 23 disposed centrally of said frame and mounted on and extending upwardly from a transverse tube 24 secured at its ends to brackets 25, 25 depending from the side frame members 29, 29'and forming stops to limit downward movement of said frame and said trough II. Said cylinder has a piston movable therein (not shown) with a piston rod 33 extending therefrom, which is pivotally connected at its outer end to a bracket 26 extending upwardly from the base I3 adjacent its longitudinal center line and adjacent the forward end of said base, so that when fluid under pressure enters the head end of said cylinder, the frame 2'! will be elevated about the pivotal pins 3|, 3l. The mounting for the reciprocating trough section II on the frame 21 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced upwardly inclined V-shaped guide tracks 34, 34 mounted on the inner side of each side frame member 29, one of said guide tracks being disposed adjacent the forward end of each side frame member and the other being spaced rearwardly therefrom. Said guide tracks are adapted to be engaged by rollers 35, 35 having V-shaped outer faces and pivotally mounted in brackets 36, 35 projecting laterally from opposite sides of the reciprocating trough I I. The reciprocating trough II is thus reciprocably supported on the frame 21, to move in a downwardly inclined forward direction during the forward strokes of the conveyer.

A pair of counterweights 4I 4I are provided to neutralize the tendency of the shaking action of the trough II and shovel I6 to move the base I3 along the ground. Each of said counterweight's, as herein shown, is mounted on the inside of a side frame member 29, to move in the same angular direction as the reciprocating trough II, butv in opposite phase relationship with respect thereto. Each of said counterweights is mounted on a pair of parallel longitudinally spaced inclined guide tracks 43, 43 on parallel spaced supporting rollers 44, 44 journaled in said counterweight on transverse shafts 45, 45 and engaging opposite Said guide tracks, as .herein shown, are mounted at their upper ends on opposite sides of the upper` end of an upright f bracket 46 which is'mounted onY and extends, upwardly from the side frame member 29, and are connected at. their lower ends to lugs 4.5, 45, which project downwardly from the side frame mem,- bers 29, 29.

Downward and forward' movement of the reciprocating trough section II along the guide tracks 34', 34 is limited by the reciprocating drive connections to said trough section, as 'will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specication proceeds. The shovel I is transversely pivoted to the forward end of said reciprocating troughy section and overlaps the receiving end of said trough section at its discharge end. Said shovel, as herein shown, is pivotally connected to opposite upright sides oil a U-frame 50 extending across and secured to the forward end of said reciprocating trough. Pivotal pins 5I, 5| extend? through said sides of said U-frame and through connecting ears of a connecting frame 52, which is secured to the bottom of said shovel, adjacent the rear end thereof, and extends thereacross beyond opposite sides thereof for pivotally connecting said shovel to said U-frame in discharge relation with respect to said reciprocatiner trough.

Pivotal movement of the shovel I5 with respect to theV trough I i is limited by means of a pair of laterally spaced compression springs 53, 53 encircling bolts Eli, 5t. Each of s aid bolts, as herein shown, is slidably mounted adjacent its upper end in a bracket 55, projecting upwardly and forwardly from the U-irame 55, and is slidably mounted adjacent its lower end in a laterally projecting portion 55 of the connecting frame 52. Said compression spring 53 encircling'each bolt 54 is interposed between the under side of the bracket 55 and the upper side of said laterally projecting portion of said connecting frame.

The trough I I and counterweight 4I are driven in opposite phase relation with respect to each other by means of a transverse rock shaft 60, journaled in suitable bearing supports provided on the base I3 and rocked by a shaker conveyor driye mechanism 5S, which will be more fullyv described as this specification proceeds. Said rock shaft has a pair of laterally spaced depending rocking arms 5I, 5I mounted thereon. Said rocking arms have operative connection with the counterweights 4i, 4I through drive links pivotally connected to said rocking arms at one of their nnds and pivotally'connected to lugs 53, 53, depending from said counterweights, at their opposite ends.

The rocking shaft 513 also has a pair of laterally spaced upwardly extending rocking arms 64, 64, mounted thereon outside of the rocking arms 5I, 5I. Said rocking arms have driving connecton with the trough section I I through a pair of yieldable links 55, 65.

Each yieldable link as herein shown, includes an eyebolt 55 pivotally connected to the arm 64 and projecting forwardly therefrom. Said eyebolt is threaded into a sleeve 61 having a collar 58 secured thereto, as by welding, and adapted to be abutted by the rear end of a pre-loaded compression spring E9. The opposite end of said spring encircles a stud 1i), projecting rearwardly from a collar Ii formed integrally with a connecting ear '12. Said connecting ear extends between a bifurcated connecting portion I3 of the U-frame 5G and is pivotally connected thereto by means of a pivotal pin 14. Said spring is preloaded b-y means of a plurality of rods 15, 'I5 secured to said collar IiI at their forward ends, and extending rearwardly from said collar and through the collar 68. Said spring is adjustably tensioned by nuts threaded on the ends of said rods and abutting the rear end .of the collar 68.

The length of the yieldable links 55, does. not vary during normal operation of the trough I I and shovel I6. Said links, however, may be adjusted to compensate for weakened springs by removing the pins connecting the eyebolts 66, 66 to the rocking arms 64, 64 and adjustably turning said links in the threaded sleeves 5l, 61. Said eyebolts may then be locked in; position by the nuts threadedV thereon, and the springs 69, 69 may be brought to the proper tension and the links may be brought to the required length by means of the nuts threaded on the ends of the rods l5, 'I5.

It should here be understood Athat the trough II is moved in a return direction through the rods "I5, I5 and is' moved in a forward direction through said compression springs. Said springs are so loaded and their strength is such that said yield'able links normally act as solid members, saidk springs being adapted to yield only when the forward end of the shovel I5 engages a solid obstruction, to prevent damage to said shovel and the drive mechanism therefor.

Referring now in particular to the inertia propelling device I5 and the means for reciprocably moving said device along the turntable I4 in various directions with respect thereto and in denite .p

phase relations, said propelling device consists generally of a reciprocably driven propelling weight, which has certain parts of its own drive mechanism moving bodily therewith so as to add to its mass as an effective inertia propelling Weight. Said drive mechanism is designed to give the propelling weight an unbalanced recip-l rocating motion essentially likethat commonly employed in shaker conveyors. This shaker motion may perhaps be best described in simple terms as one` in which the reciprocating weight is given a relatively quick reversal at the end of its forward stroke, and a relatively slow reversal at the end of its rearward stroke, so as to exert a resultant propelling' force in a forward direction.

It will further be understood that the direction of the resultant impelling force' can be reversed by providing means for interchanging the quick and slow reversals at the opposite ends of the strokes, i. e., by eiecting the quick reversal at the end` of the return stroke, and the slow reversal at the end of the forwardv stroke.

This unbalanced shaker motion may also be described .in greater detail in terms. of relative velocity or acceleration, thus: the` propelling weight is gradually accelerated from the beginning of its forward stroke to a point of maximum velocity near the end of said stroke; is then quickly decelerated until it reaches the end of its for-l wardr stroke, is then quickly accelerated from the beginning of the return stroke until a point of maximum velocity is reached near the beginning of said return stroke, and is then slowly decelerated through the rest of the return stroke` The resultant impelling force is exerted in the forward direction; it is reversed by reversing the cycle or phase of accelerations and decelerations respectively, during the forward and reverse strokes.

As will hereinafter more fully appear, applicant provides his propelling weight with means for reversing the direction of the resultant impolling force, so that the entire base, including' allthe mechanism carried thereby, can be propelled along the ground selectively in either a forward or a rearwarddirection. Furthermore, by mounting the propelling weight von the'turntable I4, the base can be propelled along the ground selectively in any desired angular direction.

As herein shown, the propelling' device I5 includes a frame and housing 19 suitably mounted on said turntable for reciprocable slidable movement along fixed guide means, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Said frame forms a support and housing for a pair of reciprocating drive mechanisms generally indicated by reference characters 80, 80. Said reciprocating drive mechanisms, as herein shown, are each of a form of planetary drive mechanism of a type heretofore employed to reciprocably drive a shaker conveyer trough and are constructed and operate on principles similar to those disclosed in Patent No.

2,077,593, which issued to William W. Sloane on the of April, 1937. Said drive mechanisms include a pair of laterally spaced gears 8|, 8| keyed on vertical shafts 82, 82. Said shafts are journaled at their upper ends in a cover 83 for the frame and housing 19 and are each journaled at their lower ends in a cage 84 having a crank 85 depending therefrom and forming a drive member for the reciprocating drive mechanism. Each cage 84 is journaled at its upper end in a ball bearing 86, mounted in a cross supporting bridge 81 of said frame 19. Said crank 85 extends within a crank 88 and is secured thereto by means of a bolt 69. Said last mentioned crank is journaled at its lower end in a ball bearing 90, mounted in the bottom of said frame, coaxial with the vertical axis of the shaft 82.

A sun pinion 9| is mounted on the vertical shaft 82, just above its bearing support, in the cage 84 and meshes with a planetary pinion 92, journaled on a vertical shaft 93, mounted at its ends in said cage. Said planetary pinion meshes with an internal gear 96 which forms a reaction member for the drive mechanism. Said internal gear, as herein shown, is journaled on its outer periphery on the frame and housing 19 on a bearing 91, and is provided with an upwardly spaced annular portion encircling the bearing support for the ball bearing 86, which is journaled on an annular bearing 98 mounted in the upper part of said frame, just beneath the cover 83 Each internal gear is provided with an integrally formed, inwardly extending, downwardly spaced gear sector |09. The teeth of said gear sectors mesh so that one internal gear will move with the other.

'I'he means for reciprocably moving the reaction members 96, 96 about their axes in a definite phase relationship with respect to the cranks 89, 88, during each revolution thereof, to vary the angular velocities of said cranks in such a manner as to cause said cranks to reciprocably move the frame 19 in one direction along the turntable I4 at a gradually increasing velocity and to rapidly reverse the direction of movement of said frame and drive mechanism along said turn# table, includes a forked rocking member |03 rocked by one of the cranks 88, and connected with one of said internal gears so as to rockingly move both of said internal gears together through the integrally formed meshing gear sectors |99, |90. (See Figures 13 and 14.)

The forked portion of the rocking member |93 extends along and has engagement with opposite sides of a block |94 which is journaled on one crank 88, which in Figure 14 is shown as being the right-hand crank. Said rocking member has a vertically extending boss |05 which is mounted on a vertical shaft |06, mounted at its lower end in a bracket |01 projecting rearwardly from the frame 19, and at its upper end in a vertically spaced bracket |08, projecting rearwardly from said frame. A rocking arm |09 extends laterally from said boss towards the drive mechanism 80, and as herein shown is disposed just beneath the bracket |08 and is formed integrally with said boss. A link ||0 is pivotally connected between the furcation of a bifurcated end of said rocking arm by means of a pivotal pin III. The other end of said link is pivotally connected to the internal gear 96, which in Figure 14 is shown as being the right-hand internal gear, by means of a pivotal pinvI I2. Thus, during each revolution of the crank the forked member |03 will rock back and forth, which will cause reciprocable movement of the internal gears 96, 96, to vary the angular velocity of the cage 84 and the crank 88.

The drive mechanisms 89 are driven from a pair of meshing spur pinions II5, II5 which are driven from the spur gear I I6 on a vertical shaft I I1. Said shaft is journaled in the frame 18 adjacent its upper and lower ends and is driven from a pair of mitre gears |I9, one of which is keyed on said shaft and the other of which is keyed on the rear end of a longitudinally extending shaft |29, Said longitudinal shaft is journaled in an end wall I 2| of the frame 19 just forwardly of the bevel gear I I9, and extends forwardly from said end wall and is journaled at its l forward end in a forwardly spaced bearing suppori; |22 of said frame. The shaft |20 extends through a hollow guide member |24 for the frame 19 and is driven from a bevel gear |25 through an extensible drive member |26. Said bevel gear is journaled on its hub in said hollow guide member, coaxial with said shaft (see Figure 12).

The hollow guide member |24 is provided with a depending boss I 21 which is journaled in a bearing support |30 projecting upwardly from the base I3. The turntable I4 is mounted on the outer periphery of said bearing support and is coaxial with the axis of turning movement of said guide member. Flanges I24a, |24a at opposite sides of said guide member are adapted to be engaged by bearing strips I3I, I3I, extending along opposite inner side walls I 32, |32 of the frame 19, to form a fixed guide for said frame during reciprocable movement thereof with respect to said turntable (see Figure 10). Said guide member is journaled adjacent its upper end on a boss |33, depending from a gear housing 34. Said gear housing is mounted on the cover I9 of the base I3 and is connected with a Y-shaped tie brace |35, which tie brace is secured to the front end wall of said base, at its spaced apart forward ends, and is secured to said gear casing at its rear end (see Figures 9 and 12).

The hub of the bevel gear |25 is internally splined and has a splined driving member |36 mounted therein and driven thereby. Said driving member is coaxial with the longitudinal shaft |20 and forms a part of the extensible drive member |23. The inner side of said driving member is spaced from the outer periphery of said longitudinal shaft |20, to permit rectilinear movement of said shaft with respect to said member. Said driving member has a pair of oppositely projecting portions |31, |31, to which are pivotally connected a pair of rotatable drive links `ends to the gear housings |34 and |54.

|39, |39. Said drlve links are of a semi-spiral formation and partially encircle said longitudinal shaft and have similar drive links |40, pivotally connected thereto. The drive links |40,

I 40, are pivotally connected to a member |4| at 1 their ends opposite their points of connection to drive links |39, |39, which member is slidably mounted on the longitudinal shaft |20. Drive links |42, |42 are pivotally connected to said last mentioned member at points spaced substantially 90 from the points of connection of the drive links |40, |40 to said member. Said drive links :are pivotally connected to drive links |43, 43,

tongs type, to provide an extensible driving connection between the turntable and the reciprocable frame 19 which affords minimum frictional Vlosses during the reciprocation of said frame.

The bevel gear |25 is driven from a bevel gear |46 on the lower end of a vertical shaft |41. Said vertical shaft is journaled in the depending boss |33 of the gear housing |34, coaxial with the pivotal axis of the turntable I4. A bevel gear |50 is keyed on the upper end of said shaft and meshes with a bevel gear |5| on the forward end of an inclined longitudinally extending shaft |53. Said longitudinal shaft is journaled in the gear casing |54 just rearwardly of the bevel gear |5I, and is journaled adjacent its opposite end in a gear casing |54 which is mounted on the top of the cover I9, for the base |3. A hollow tube |55 encircles said shaft and is connected at its A bevel gear |56 is keyed on the rear end of said longitudinal shaft and meshes with and is driven from a bevel gear |51 keyed on the transverse shaft 2 i.

The linkage connection from the cranks 85, 85 to the turntable I4, to cause the reciprocating drive mechanism and frame 19 to reciprocably move with respect to said turntable and act as a propelling Weight to move the base I3 along the ground, includes a pair of drive links |60, |60,

each of which links is journaled on one of the cranks 88 on Iball bearingsy |6|, I6| on one of its ends (see Figure 10). The connection from each drive link |63 to the turntable I4 is substantially the same, so one only will herein be described in detail.

The end of the drive link |60 opposite from the crank 69 is ybifurcated and the furcations thereof extend along opposite sides of and are pivotally connected to an inwardly extending central portion |62 of a stroke control member |63, by means of a pivotal pin |64 disposed eccentric 'of the axis of rocking movement of said stroke control member, for rocking said stroke control member. Said stroke control member has a lower depending boss |65 spaced from the central portion thereof, which is journaled in the bottom of the frame 19, on a bearing |66. It also has an upwardly projecting bearing boss |61 spaced from said central portion which is journaled in a cover |68 of said frame 19 (see Figure 17).

The stroke control member |63 is provided with a longitudinally extending' slot |66, within which is slidably mounted a stroke control block I0 on parallel spaced guide rods |1|, |1I, mounted in said stroke control member and extending along opposite sides of and into said slot.

It will thus be ob- -trol member.

rotation of the cranks 88, 99.

Said Vstroke control block has a vertical pin |14 mounted. therein, which has a pair of parallel spaced stroke control links |15 pivotally mounted thereon, on opposite sides of said block. The ends of said pin project beyond the upper and lower sides of said stroke control links'andihave the bifurcated end of a link |16 pivotally connected thereto. The end of said link opposite from said pinis pivotally connected to .an arm |11 of a bell crank |18, for rocki-ng said bell crank uponvrocking movement of said stroke con- The other arm of said bell crank has a link |19 pivotally connected thereto, which is pivotally connected to the turntable I4.

The center V4of' theslot v`|69 intersects the axis of rocking movement of the stroke control member |63 so that when the -stroke control block 10 -is in a-central position with respect to said Vslot and the vertical axis of its pin |14 is coaxial with the axis of rocking movement of said stroke control member, the link |16 will exert no driving action'yand when the blocks of both stroke control members are in this position, the frame 19 will remain stationary on the turntable '|4 during When vsaid stroke control block is `at either side of the pivotal axis of said stroke control member, the link |16 will rock the bell -crank |18 to reciprocably move said frame and drive mechanism along said turntable. In the form shown, the linkage arrangement is such that when said stroke control block is in an extreme rearward position in its slot |69, the

maximum propelling action of said frame and drive mechanism -will be exerted during its forward stroke or movement, and said frame'and drive 'mechanism will exert a maximum forward propelling force on the base |3. In a like manner, said frame and drive mechanism will exert a maximum propelling force on said Ibase in a rearward direction when said stroke control block is in an extreme Vforward position in its slot |69. It should here be understood that any lesser propelling forces may be obtained by positioning said block intermediate the ends of said slot.

The two drive mechanisms are thus connected to the turntable |4 at spaced apart points, so that upon rotation of the cranks 88, 88 and proper positioning of the stroke control block |10 in the slot |69 of the stroke control member |63, the

bell cranks |18, |18 will be rocked through the drive links |60, |60, stroke control members 163, |63 and the links |16, |16, to reciprocably move the frame 19 and said drive mechanism along the turntable I4 through the parallel spaced links |19, |19, it being understood that the blocks |10, |10 may be independently moved 'along their associated stroke control members, to independently control the drive action of eac-h recip'rocable drive mechanism.

Referring now to the means under control of the operator, for moving the stroke control vblock |10 along the'sl'ot |69 vand holding it in the desired position in said slot, the stroke control links |15, |15 :are pivotally connected at their ends opposite said stroke control block to opposite sides of a threaded block or nut mounted on a threaded shaft' |8| `(see Figure 17). The pitch of the threads of said shaft and nut is such as 'guide frame |85 for the stroke control mechanism, to hold said nut in an upright position during movement along said threaded shaft (see Figure 19) The threaded shaft I8I is rotatably driven from :a fluid motor |86 connected with a planetary gear reduction device which includes a sun gear |81 mounted on an inwardly projecting hub |88 of a flywheel |89. Said flywheel is provided to level off the power load on the stroke control mechanism and to keep the uid motor running at a high rate of speed, and is mounted on a shaft |90 for said fluid motor.

A casing I9I having an internal gear |92 formed integral therewith is journaled on the hub of said flywheel on a ball bearing |94. Said internal gear is meshed with a planetary pinion |95 meshing with said sun and internal gears and vmounted on a cage |96, for orbital movement about said internal gear. The cage |96 is provided with an inwardly extending. integrally formed shaft |91 which projects into a socket |98 .formed in the rear end of the threaded shaft I8I,

a for driving said shaft from said cage.

A friction band |99 is yieldably engaged with the outer periphery of the casing I9I and is provided to hold the casing |93 and the internal gear |92 from rotation, but to permit said casing and internal gear to turn when the threaded block |80 reaches either end of its travel along the thread- .edshaftIL A yieldable shock absorbing means is adapted to act against each stroke control member |63, to

take up any backlash on the reciprocable driving mechanisms and to absorb any shocks which may be. imparted from thelinks |19, |19 to the drive gears for said reciprocable driving mechanisms. .Said shock absorbing mechanism for each drive mechanism, as herein shown includes a spring pressed plunger 200, which engages a, lug 20| on the outer side of the stroke control member |63. Said plunger is slidably mounted in a pair of spaced apart ears 202, 203 formed integrally with the frame 19 and projecting laterally therefrom. A compression spring 204 is mounted on said -plunger in the space between said ears and is interposed between a flanged collar 205 abutting the 4ear 202 and a flanged collar 205 abutting a shouldered portion 201 of said plunger, so said spring y'take up any back lash in the links, rocking members and gears of the drive mechanism and absorb `)any shocks that might be imparted to the drive 4mechanism by the links |19, |19 upon reversal in the direction ofv movement of the drive mechanism along the turntable I4.

It may be seenY from the foregoing that the stroke control devices for each drive mechanism are independently operable so that one reciprocable drive mechanism only may be used to move the frame 19 and drive mechanism associated therewith along the turntable I4, as indicated in ,Figure 25. When this is done, only one of the two link connections |19 will exert a reactive force on -the turntable, so that the reciprocable movement .of the drive mechanism will impose an unbalanced thrusting action toward one side of said turntable.

'I'his will tend` to swing the drive 75 'mechanism angularly about its guiding member |24, resulting in a movement of the turntable and base in a diagonal direction. Said drive mechanisms may also be so arranged that one drive mechanism will impart a maximum propelling force on one side of the turntable in one direction, and the other drive mechanism will at the same time impart a maximum propelling force on the opposite side of said turntable in an opposite direction, to swing or rotate the loading device toward one side or the other.

The angle at which the propelling force is exerted on the base I 3 by the frame 19 and the drive mechanisms mounted thereon is also controlled by the turntable |4. Said turntable is turned by a uid motor 2| I having driving connection with said turntable through a worm 2I2 directly connected with a shaft 2| 3 of said motor, a worm gear 2|4, driven by said Worm, and a spur gear 2 I5 driven therefrom and meshing with gear teeth 2|6, cut in the outer periphery of said turntable (see Figures 9 and 11).

The drive to the reciprocating trough I| includes a crank 2| 1 driven from the transverse shaft 2| by a gear train generally indicated by reference character 2|8 (see Figures 9 and 20). Said crank and gear train, as herein shown, are mounted on the top of the cover I9. A connecting rod 2|9 is journaled on said crank and extends longitudinally forward therefrom. The forward end of said connecting rod is pivotally connected between the furcations of a bifurcated connecting ear 220 of a stroke control member 22 I, by means of a pivotal pin 222. Said stroke control member is provided to permit reciprocable movement of said trough to be synchronized with reciprocable movement of the propelling device I5. Said stroke control member operates on principles similar to the stroke control member |63 and is journaled at its ends in opposite side walls 223 and 224 of a housing and frame, projecting upwardly from and formed integrally with the cover I9 for the base I3 (see Figure 21). Said stroke control member is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 225, within which is slidably mounted a stroke control block 22 6. A pair of stroke control links 221, 221 extend along opposite sides of said block and are pivotally connected thereto by means of a. pivotal pin 229. The stroke control links are pivotally connected at their ends opposite the block 226 to another block 230 mounted on a threaded shaft 23|. Said threaded shaft is rotatably driven through a frictionally controlled planetary geared reduction device 233, by means of a fluid motor 234. Said planetary is similar to that used for controlling the stroke of the propelling device, so will not herein be shown or described in detail.

' Since there is no need for reversing the conveying action of the trough Il, movement of the block 226 along the slot 225 in one direction is limited to a position where the center of the pin ls coaxial with the center of rocking movement of said stroke control member, at which time there will be no reciprocable movement of said trough. The stroke of said trough wil-l be lengthened and the conveying action of said trough increased as said block is moved away from said last mentioned position to an extreme forward position in said slot. Y

The pin 229 has a link 235 pivotally connected to each end thereof. Said links depend from said pin and are pivotally connected at their lower ends to a rocking arm 236. Said rocking arm is secured to the transverse shaft, 60,-for rocking said shaft and reciprocably driving the trough in the hereinbefore described manner.

Fluid under pressure may be supplied to the fluid motors |86, |86, 2| I and 234 and to the uid cylinder 32, through a suitable system of pipes and control valves which are not herein shown or described since they form no part of my present invention. Pressure is effected in the system by means of a fluid pump 231 driven from the opposite end of the transverse shaft 2| from the motor I1, The fluid valves for controlling the admission and release of pressure from said motors and uid cylinder may be controlled by means of a control means such as a push button control remote from the machine and indicated generally by reference character 239 in Figure 1. Said push button control is herein shown as being connected to the machine by means of an electric cable 24D. Said control valves and push button control are no part of my present invention, so will not herein be shown or described in detail.

Referring now in particular to Figures 22 to 25 inclusive, diagrammatically illustrating the various positions of the inertia device and the linkage connections for reciprocably moving said inertia device with respect to the turntable, Figure 22 shows the stroke control blocks |10 as being adjusted in extreme rear positions in the guide slots |69, |69 in the stroke control members |63, |63. When the linkage connections are in the position shown in this figure, the inertia device consisting of the frame 19 and the reciprocable drive mechanisms mounted thereon, will be given a relatively quick reversal at the forward end of its stroke and its eifective propelling force will be exerted in a forward direction. This will cause said inertia device to move said base in a forward direction.

In Figure 23 the Stroke control blocks |16, |16 are shown as being adjusted into position at the extreme forward ends of the slots |69, |69 in the stroke control members |63, |63. When said blocks are in this position, the propelling device will be given a relatively quick reversal at the return end of its stroke. This will cause said propelling device to propel the base |3 in a rearward direction, and to withdraw the shovel I6 from the coal.

In Figure 24 the truntable I4 has been turned to the right to position the inertia device at an angle to the base. The stroke control blocks |16, |10 are shown as being adjusted in extreme rear positions in the slots |69, |69. When said stroke control blocks and turntable are in this position, said inertia device will propel the base |3 along the ground in a diagonal direction to the right.

In Figure the left-hand stroke control block |13 is, positioned in a neutral position in its slot |69 so the center of the pin |14 is coaxial with the pivotal axis of said block. When in this position, the associated stroke control member |63 will have no driving eifect on the link |16 and bell crank |18. The opposite stroke control block |13 is shown as being positioned in an extreme rear position in its slot |69. This will cause angular movement of the propelling device with respect to the turntable I4 about the pivoted guide member |24 and the impelling force of said propelling device will be exerted in a forward and diagonal direction towards the left. This will cause movement of the base and loading device in a diagonal direction to the left.

When it is desired that the turning force of the propelling device in one direction or another be changed to change the axis about which it turns the '.base, to coincide more nearly with the center of the machine, one linkage connection may be so arranged that the drive mechanism associated therewith will impart an impelling force in a forward direction and the other linkage connection may be s-o arranged that its associated drive mechanism Will impart an impelling force in a reverse direction, but at the same time as said rst drive mechanism.

It may be seen from the foregoing that various combinations and arrangements of the stroke control blocks |16, |10 in the slots |69, |69 may be attained, for causing the base I3 to move along the ground in any desired direction so that the loading device may readily be manipulated for picking up material along a working face of a mine and from the extreme corners thereof, and that the direction of the propelling forces imparted to the base may also be controlled bythe turntable |4, to more accurately control movement of the loading device along the ground.

While I have herein shown and described one 'form in which my invention may be embodied,

it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting my invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: n

l. In a propelling device of the class described, a base adapted to slidably move along the ground, and inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said base for moving said base along the ground, including a reciprocating drive mechanism and a linkage connection from said drive mechanism to said base, providing a propelling connection therebetween. Y

2. In a propelling device of the class described, a base adapted to slidably move along the ground, and inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said base and reciprocably driven with respect thereto for moving said base along the ground including a reciprocating drive mechanism, a linkage connection from said drive mechanism to said base, providing a propelling connection therebetween, and control means for said linkage connection, to change the direction of the impelling force imparted to said base by said drive mechanism. y

3. In a propelling device of the class described. a base adapted t0 slidably move along the ground, and inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said base for moving said base along the ground, including a reciprocating drive mechanism including a, pair of spaced rocking members, linkage connections from said rocking members to said base, and means for controlling rocking vmovement of said rocking members to vary the effectiveness ofthe impelling forces transmitted to said base through said rocking members respectively, and thereby cause movement of said Ease along the ground in various desired direcions. i 4, In a propelling device of the class described, a base adapted to slidably move along the ground, and inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said base for` moving said base along the ground including a reciprocating drive mechanism including a pair of rotatable cranks, a linkage connection from each of said cranks to said base and to provide a propelling connection therebetween, said linkage connections including a pair of rocking members driven by said cranks, and means in said linkage connection for controlling rocking movementof said rocking members, to cause said drive mechanism to exert maximum propelling forces on said base in a forward or return direction.

5. In a propelling device of the class described, a base adapted to slidably move along the ground, and inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said base for slidably moving said base along the ground including a reciprocating drive mechanism having a pair of rotatable cranks, and a separate linkage connection from each of said cranks to said base to provide a propelling connection therebetween, said linkage connections each including a rocking member and independent control means for controlling rocking movement of said rocking members, and arranged to change the resultant direction of the propelling forces of said drive mechanism along said base from the forward to the return direction, to cause said drive mechanism to move said base in reverse directions, or in angular directions to the normal direction of reciprocation of said drive mechanism.

6. In a propelling device of the class described, .a base adapted to slidably move along the ground, and inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said base, for moving said base along the ground including a pair of reciprocating drive mechanisms, each of which drive mechanisms has a crank driven at a variable angular velocity, a

rocking member, a linkage connection from said crank to said rocking member, for rocking said rocking member, and a linkage connection from said rocking member to said base, said last mentioned linkage connections of said drive mecha'- nisms being connected to said base at spaced i apart points, for transmitting impelling forces from said drive mechanisms to said base.

'7. In a propelling device of the class described, a base adapted to slidably move along the ground, and inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said base for moving said base along the ground including a frame slidably mounted on said base, a pair of interconnected reciprocating drive mechanisms carried by said frame, each of which drive mechanisms includes a crank driven at a variable angular velocity, a rocking member, a linkage connection from said crank to said rocking member, for rocking said rocking member, and a linkage connection from said rocking member to said base, said last mentioned linkage connections being connected to said base at spaced apart points to provide a propelling connection between said rocking member and said base, and manually operable control means for controllingv rocking movement of said rocking members, to change the resultant direction of the propelling forces imparted by said frame as it reciprocably moves along said base, from the forward to the return direction, to control the direction of movement of said base along the ground.

4at spaced apart points to provide a propelling connection between said rocking member and said b'ase, and separate independently operable control means for each of said rocking members, for independently varying the direction of the resultant propelling forces imparted to said base by said frame and drive mechanisms to control the direction of movement of said base along the ground.

9. In a propelling device, a base slidably movable along the ground, a reciprocating drive mechanism slidably mounted on said base for reciprocable movement with respect thereto, for moving said base along the ground, said drive mechanism including a frame, a crank rotatably mounted thereon, a rocking member rocked thereby, a linkage connection from said rocking member to said base to provide a propelling connection therebetween, and a yieldable member having engagement with said rocking member and acting in a direction to exert a force on said rocking member in a directidn opposite to which it is rocked by said crank, during movement of said rocking member in one direction, and to act in the direction of movement of said rocking member during movement of said rocking member in an opposite direction, to take up the thrusts imparted to said drive mechanism upon reversal in the direction of movement of said frame along said base.

10. In a propelling device, a base slidably movable along the ground, a reciprocating drive mechanism slidably mounted on said base for reciprocable movement with respect thereto, for moving said base along the ground, said drive mechanism including a frame, a crank rotatably mounted thereon, a rocking member rocked thereby, a second rocking member, a link connecting said rocking members together, another link connecting said second rocking member to said base, to provide a propelling connection between said second rocking member and said base, and a yieldable member having engage- Y ment with said rst rocking member in a direc- 8. In a propelling device of the class described,

tion to oppose rocking movement thereof during movement of said rocking member in one direction and to exert a force in the direction of movement of said rocking member when said rocking member reverses its direction of rocking movement, to take up the thrusts imparted to said drive mechanism upon reversal of the direction of movement of said frame along said base.

11. In a propelling device, a base slidably movable along the ground, a turntable on said base, inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said turntable and reciprocably driven with respect thereto, for slidably moving said base along the ground, and means operable under manual control for turning said turntable, to control the direction of movement of said base along the ground.

l2. In a propelling device, a base slidably movable along the ground, a turntable on said base, inertia propelling means including a reciprocable drive mechanism slidably mounted on said turntable, and a connection from said drive mechanism to said turntable, to permit said propelling means to reciprocably move with respect to said turntable in a definite cycle, for slidably moving said base along the ground due to the inertia of said propelling means.

13. In a propelling device, a base slidably movable along the ground, a turntable on said base, inertia propelling means slidably mounted on said turntable and reciprocably driven with respect thereto, for slidably moving said base along the 

